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Bucs Training Camp Day 3: Night Practice In Pads

By Tom Krasniqi (Twitter: @TKras)

The turnout was there at Raymond James Stadium for the annual night practice on Saturday night. An estimated 33,000 came out to their first taste of the 2013 Buccaneers in their home stadium. The Bucs wanted to put on a good show for the crowd on hand and they did in the first padded practice of training camp.

Head coach Greg Schiano says the padded practice was sloppy at times and he wasn’t entirely thrilled with the overall execution. “It wasn’t crisp but it was fun,” said Schiano on the field after the night practice. “We got a lot of good work in tonight and I think the fans enjoyed it. I hope they did”.

He was pleased with the way the quarterbacks threw the ball on this night. Josh Freeman and Mike Glennon performed better, especially in the two-minute drill. “Yeah, I think both quarterbacks did a nice job moving the club,” Schiano said.

News & Notes:

During the two-minute drill, reserve running back Brian Leonard took a handoff around the left side and scampered 34 yards for the touchdown.

In the next two-minute drill, backup QB Mike Glennon drove the team down the field with the big play being a beautiful touch pass down the seam to Tiquan Underwood, beating Michael Adams. However, Lawrence Tynes missed a 42-yard FG that would have tied the game.

Safety Ahmad Black was shaken up on Leonard’s touchdown run. Schiano did not know the extent of the injury.

Davin Joseph (knee) says his knee is ready for game action. When asked if he will play in the preseason, he said it’s up to Schiano. Carl Nicks (toe) is coming along slower than Joseph, but he all but guaranteed that he will be ready for the season opener against the Jets .

During the first play of the running drill, Gerald McCoy knifed in the backfield to stone Doug Martin. The lighter McCoy looks more agile and explosive.

During a 1-on-1 drill, WR Kevin Ogletree beat CB Leonard Johnson down the sideline for a score. Ogletree used a slick push-off to gain separation.

Bucs co-chairman Bryan Glazer met with the media on the field before the night practice. He says ticket sales are improving and believes there will be fewer blackouts: “We’re confident that there will be a lot more games on TV this year than there were last year”. Only two home games were seen on TV last season and two back in 2011.

The Bucs made some moves on Saturday. They signed FB Spencer Larsen, G Jeff Olson, CB Mason Robinson and WR Bobby Sewall. G Jeremy Lewis and DB Nick Saenz were waived and WR Jerry Johnson was placed on the reserve/left squad list.

The Bucs will practice Sunday morning from 10:30am-12:15pm. Sunday’s practice is NOT open to the public. The next public practice is on Monday morning from 8:45am-11:30am. For more information, check out 620wdae.com and buccaneers.com.

For the latest news on Bucs training camp, keep it locked all day long on 620 WDAE and 95.3FM, your home of the Bucs and the best Bucs coverage.